School of Science
This is a very exciting time to be involved with science. Science, technology and knowledge-driven enterprises have become increasingly important to economic success in a globalised market. This has been recognised for some time by the Irish government, who have made an unprecedented national commitment to scientific research, technological development and innovation in recent years. This commitment is reflected in the National Development Plan 2007-2013, in the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2013, and, most recently, in Building Ireland’s Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, published at the end of 2008. The fact that this commitment was reiterated at a time of increasing economic pressure underlines the seriousness of the government’s intent.
A science qualification is an excellent programme of study at third level. If you are sure about your choices, it opens up access to mainstream science careers. If you’re less sure, however, it provides an excellent grounding and undergraduate experience that will give you access to a host of non-science careers. A recent Forfás survey illustrated the wide range of industries that science graduates enter – agriculture, forestry and fishing; chemical (including fertilisers, rubber and plastics); computer/electronic equipment; education; food and drink; health services; management consultancy; pharmaceuticals; etc.
According to their most recent National Skills Bulletin for 2009, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs write that ‘despite the overall decline in employment, some science-related areas (e.g. pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, and biotechnology) have been performing comparatively well and shortages still exist for highly qualified and experienced individuals with specific skills, both at professional level (fourth level research and development scientists, clinical trials managers, regulation compliance staff) and technician level (e.g. lab technicians, junior chemists, development/prototyping technicians).’ With a science qualification from AIT it is possible to enter a career in these areas.
The School comprises two departments – Life and Physical Science and Nursing and Health Science – with allied research activity and facilities. The Department of Life and Physical Science offers a diverse range of undergraduate programmes up to honours degree in the core domains of chemistry, toxicology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, and vocationally applied fields of veterinary nursing, agricultural science, dental nursing, pharmacy technician and environmental health and safety management. The Department of Nursing and Health Science offers honours degree programmes in clinical general and psychiatric nursing.
Science courses in AIT are in fields of study which lead to excellent job opportunities. Opportunities also exist to transfer to related courses in other academic institutions, both in Ireland and abroad. Links with overseas institutions broaden your education and perspective, thereby enhancing your employment prospects and technical mobility. The Department of Life and Physical Science received competitive funding from the EU under the EU/US Programme for Cooperation in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training to support the completion of semester two of selected year 3 students in collaborating US institutions – Daemen College (Buffalo, New York), Pitzer College (California) and New College (Florida). Other links exist with the University of Ulster; University of Birkenfeldt, Germany; and exchange links have been developed with the Institutes Universitaire de Technologie (IUTs) in Rennes, St Brieuc and Lannion in France. These exchange links are being expanded to include industries as well as educational establishments. There are in parallel substantive research collaborations with universities in the UK, Italy and the US, as well as within Ireland.
Courses in the School of Science are undertaken through a programme of lectures, practical work, tutorials and work-based training. Continuous assessment plays a major part in all courses and emphasis is placed on the development of practical skills as well as theoretical knowledge. Individual project work and/or industrial placements are an essential part of many programmes. The School has a wide range of advanced instrumentation available for project work and in many cases the industrial placement provides the venue for students’ full projects.
Research and consultancy are important features of the School’s work, with academic faculty undertaking research in various fields, funded by grants from State agencies, the EU and industry. Consultancy work is undertaken by faculty for industry and local authorities, in conjunction with the Office of Research. These research and consultancy activities help maintain the relevance of courses, provide a solid basis for many student projects and ensure that employers are aware of the quality of our graduates. The School’s research strengths lie particularly in the areas of cell and molecular toxicology, ecotoxicology, separation and analytical technology. The School has been successful in attracting significant research funding in recent years from the EU-Framework programmes; Higher Education Authority (HEA): Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI); Department of Education and Science: Technological Sector Research; and Enterprise Ireland: Innovation Partnerships, Department of Agriculture, HRB, EPA and SFI.
The School of Science has also been particularly successful in supporting the acquisition of state-of-the-art scientific equipment. Recent major acquisitions include: an ion chromatograph, DNA microarray scanner, multi-label plate reader, real time PCR cycler, and fast protein LC purification system. The School also hosts a surface analysis laboratory which supports a scanning electron microscope and a scanning probe microscope bioreactor and in vitro translation technology. The School conducts research in the Bioscience Research Institute (BRI), the Materials Research Institute (MRI) and in internal chemistry and ecotoxicology research laboratories.
In the Department of Nursing and Health Science, taught and research-based postgraduate programmes in nursing are being delivered and developed in line with health service demand. These are in addition to the three undergraduate degrees. A recently formed Biomedical and Health Science research group was established in the Department offering opportunities to PhD students in the nursing and health science fields.
If you require additional information or have any queries regarding a course, please contact the School of Science. Should you wish to visit the School, you will be most welcome.
